ORIGINAL: ScottyO
Heh, heh, look at the times of our posts--
we were typing "4 Star" and "Tiger 2" at the same time, I just beat you to the "Post reply" button by a few seconds.
I do want to comment on one thing that you said, though. You said that a SIM is not that close to the real thing. In my very humble (and inexperienced) oppinion, given calm winds, flying a real r/c plane is EASIER than flying on a SIM[X(] Granted the stakes are higher, as there is no RESET button
You also mention trimming/tuning etc... But I think that is part of the importance of a good instructor (which is why I mentioned instructors and buddy boxes in my first post.)
I respect the fact that you are vastly more experienced than I am, and I am certainly not itching for a debate, I'm just fanning the flames of conversation so that newbies like me and parktm can learn as much as possible.
ScottyO.
That was weird timing as well as the suggestions being the same [X(]
The real thing can be easier or harder, that depends on the plane used in the sim and the plane used in real life. I can think of couple of the more aerobatic planes that G2/G3 comes with that I actually have (The Great Planes 1/4 scale Gene Soucy Extra 300S comes to mind) that the sim is no where close. I can hover my Extra, the sim snaps out hard with the same throw I use to hover with and yes all the dimensions are the same. So it's all relative. But I can tell you this. I learned allot on the sim about hovering and planes that had a tendency to snap when the throws are to high or airspeed is to low and how to recover from the snap. I also use it to practice the IMAC sequences. I will always attempt new manuvers on the sim several times before I try them on the plane. It's not perfect but it does work to an extent. I probably have 1/3 more hours on the sim as I do flying and that's saying allot since I did over 500 flights during last season. Yep I pretty much lived at the field
I agree that trimming, tuning and such all require the knowledge of a good instructor and it was great that you picked up on that, that was the idea I had, but did not explain it as well as I should have.
Experience is something you get when you didn't get what you wanted. I use that line allot and it works well in R/C. My experience is just different than yours, that is all, nothing more, at least to me, although I do appreciate the compliment
I am not thinking of this as a debate but as a bunch of people sharing ideas and thoughts and all, including me, are learning from it. So lets keep it going.
I, the same as you, think parktm asks a very important question and has a legitimate concern. Again, great minds thinking alike. Dang I'm scared now.